Recent content by PMBligh

Preach it, brother!

Thank you very much! I'd never even heard of that book but I'll look it up now.

That's really kind, thank you! You've made me a smile so much it might stay on my face all day.

I struggled for Vincent's surname and to find a title for ages, so it made me ridiculously happy when people said they liked the title!

Thanks Barbara. I do have a plan to make another couple of novels with the character should the first one be picked up. Thanks for the kind words.

That's great, thanks Paul. I've actually been looking for more novels set in the era so this is very handy.

Yep, I think you've nailed it. I think that's what I'm learning from the responses to my original question.

Ha! It was a jerky time, but there’s a specific story I heard about that happened during the Civil War that I wanted to write about. I think I agree with you on the rest - UK spellings in the prose with Southern US syntax and idioms in the dialogue. No need for “ick”, it’s gonna be fun!

Yes, phonetic speech is another issue I've been wondering about. I read The Adventures OF Huckleberry Fin, where Jim the escaped slave speaks entirely in phonetic sounds rather than recognisable words. Now, this gives you a really fantastic idea of his voice and the thickness of his accent, but...

Thanks Rich, most of that tallies with what I was kind of thinking. It's written in close third person, so I think you're right, that will dictate the kind of language used as I go along. The pithy, unhelpful, 'It's up to you' may actually be the most important note there! I reckon as long as...

Yes, you're probably right, actually. I think the main thing is that whatever rules and style I choose, I just need to stick to them, and hope nothing stands out as ludicrous.

I agree it would be jarring, hence me deciding on prose that matches the style of dialogue. It's more the use of Americanisms in the prose that I can't decide on. And is it strange that I'm using American grammar and vocabulary but UK spellings? It would just seem too bizarre to me to start...

Hello all, So I've just started writing a novel based in 19th century Southern USA. The dialogue will of course be in line with how they spoke at the time in the area it's set in, but what about the prose? Several issues: Should it be contemporary or have more of a 19th century feel to it...

Yeah, I agree with that. I've just got to wait for the right time to re-submit it. So much success relies on timing.

Thank you, Major!